Preparing Students for Life:
When a student struggles in school and at home, the ripple effects are felt throughout the entire family. Parents often describe feeling stuck, unsure how to help their child succeed, and searching for a place where their student can feel supported, nurtured, and hopeful. At NewHope Academy, we understand how overwhelming this time can be. Our mission is to provide students with the tools they need to overcome their challenges and thrive, both academically and personally.
NewHope Academy serves students in grades 6-12 who often “slip through the cracks” in traditional educational settings. These are bright, talented, and creative individuals who may face obstacles such as difficulty with executive functioning, struggles with social skills, or anxiety about navigating school and life. Through a combination of academic rigor, individualized support, and therapeutic services, we empower students to grow into confident, independent young adults ready to tackle the future.
A cornerstone of this mission is our Developmental and Vocational Skills (DVS) program, a four-year curriculum designed to give students the skills and confidence to transition successfully into high school, post-secondary education, and beyond.
DVS: Skills for Every Step of the Journey
The DVS program meets students where they are and builds their strengths year by year. Each grade focuses on a specific set of developmental and vocational skills tailored to the needs of that age group:
Freshman Year: Building Foundations
Freshman DVS focuses on developing the foundational skills that will help students succeed throughout high school. Units cover:
- Organization: Learning how to manage time, schedules, and responsibilities.
- Education: Understanding high school processes, Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), and post-high school pathways.
- Civics and Community: Exploring the structure of American government, the role of citizenship, and ways to contribute through fundraising and community activities.
- Logic and Problem Solving: Strengthening critical thinking through observation and categorization.
By the end of freshman year, students are equipped with better organization, an understanding of their educational journey, and practical problem-solving skills.
Sophomore Year: Career Exploration
Sophomore DVS shifts toward preparing students for their futures. The class includes:
- Career exploration and understanding post-secondary options.
- Building keyboarding skills and digital citizenship.
- Learning workplace “soft skills” like collaboration and communication.
- Staying informed on current events to encourage lifelong learning and critical thinking.
Students are encouraged to explore their interests while laying the groundwork for future academic and career planning.
Junior Year: Taking Ownership
Junior DVS encourages independence, accountability, and self-direction with a focus on:
- College and career planning.
- Personal finance and goal setting.
- SAT preparation and organizational strategies.
- Leading school-wide events to build leadership and collaboration skills.
Through these experiences, students begin to take greater ownership of their goals and start planning for life after high school.
Senior Year: Transitioning to Independence
Senior DVS is all about preparing students for the next chapter of their lives. This includes:
- Writing résumés, personal statements, and college essays.
- Practicing interview skills and navigating college applications and financial aid (FAFSA).
- Developing independent living skills and self-advocacy strategies.
- Completing a portfolio of college and career readiness.
By the time students leave NewHope, they are equipped to confidently transition to college, the workforce, or other post-secondary opportunities.
More Than Just Academics: Nurturing the Whole Student
At its core, the DVS program reflects the values that guide everything we do at NewHope Academy. We know that helping students succeed means addressing not only their academic needs but also their emotional, social, and practical ones.
Through individualized services like life coaching, therapy, and mentoring, we teach students essential skills like time management, goal setting, and prioritization. These lessons extend beyond the classroom into family therapy, where caregivers learn how to create organized, supportive home environments to help their child thrive.
For students nearing adulthood, our Extension of Services (EOS) program provides additional support in independent living, balancing college coursework, and building self-reliance.
Fostering Lifelong Learners
At NewHope Academy, our ultimate goal is to help students become lifelong learners. This means cultivating skills that will serve them well beyond high school, like collaboration, self-direction, effective communication, and analytical thinking.
DVS students learn to work together in teams, take initiative, solve problems independently, and present their ideas clearly and confidently. These skills don’t just prepare students for high school—they prepare them for life.